Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a poet and playwright who wrote ‘A Musical Instrument’ in 1849, a melancholy poem that reveals the loneliness and sadness of her life. The poem is written in the form of a lyrical ode, and its simple form and rhythm allow Barrett Browning to express her deepest feelings and desires in an emotive and childlike way.
Barrett Browning’s poem is filled with aching nostalgia and sorrow, and the imagery she uses is subtle yet evocative. The poem starts with the speaker addressing ‘mute lips’, suggesting that although she still longs for companionship and love, she is now resigned to her current solitary state. The speaker then continues to compare her innermost emotions with the sound of a ‘lonely lyre’, suggesting a sorrowful and melancholic tone throughout the entirety of the poem.
Barrett Browning also utilizes the image of a ‘murmuring river’ which serves as a representation of her yearning for a companion. This imagery is particularly poignant as the river’s peaceful sound in contrast to the speaker’s own silence is symbolic of how even though she does not speak, her longing for companionship can still be heard.
The speaker then goes on to compare her outstretched arms to the wings of a hawk and her ‘longing eyes’ to an eagle, suggesting her desire to spread her wings and ‘fly up to the heavens’. This longing to escape the loneliness of her current situation is further emphasized by the speakers assertion that her heart is ‘uplifted’ and her breath is like a ‘perfume’.
Barrett Browning then goes on to compare her longing for companionship to a ‘peacocks-feather fan’, a symbol of royalty and elegance. By doing so, she draws attention to her own sense of self-worth as she realizes that although she is alone, she still possesses a strong sense of self-worth and dignity.
The poem ends with the speaker firmly asserting that although she currently is alone and isolated, she has the courage and strength to follow her dreams and find happiness in her own way. This optimism is emphasized by the imagery of her gaze being compared to an eagle, suggesting that despite the difficulties she will face, she will be able to soar above them.
Themes
Barrett Browning’s ‘A Musical Instrument’ is primarily about the speaker’s loneliness and sadness, but it is also about her hope for something better in the future. Throughout the poem, Barrett Browning utilizes the images of rivers, lyres and eagles to evoke a melancholic and gloomy tone in the poem. The imagery used is also symbolic of her yearning for companionship, her desire to escape from her current solitude and her determination to reach a better future.
The poem is also about her desire for freedom and self-expression, as she uses the imagery of wings, feathers and uplifted hearts to represent her ambition to fly away from her current situation and find true joy. The poem is ultimately a call for the speaker to have agency over her own life, to have the courage to follow her dreams and not be restricted by her current circumstances.
Style and Structure
Barrett Browning’s ‘A Musical Instrument’ is a lyrical ode, written in a simple and straightforward structure. The poem consists of five stanzas, each seven lines long, and is written in iambic pentameter. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ababcc, creating a flowing and melodic rhythm.
The structure and choice of language used in the poem also serve to create a feeling of nostalgia and melancholy. Barrett Browning utilizes enjambment to emphasize her sense of yearning and desire for something better, and the conversational tone of the poem gives an intimate and personal feel.
Critical Analysis
Barrett Browning’s ‘A Musical Instrument’ is a thoughtful, emotive poem which communicates the universal feeling of longing for companionship and freedom. The simplistic structure and language that Barrett Browning uses in the poem serves to emphasize the emotions of the speaker, and the carefully crafted imagery creates a melancholic and gloomy tone.
The symbolism of the ‘peacocks fan’, rivers and eagles also serves to create a sense of optimism and resilience. The imagery Barrett Browning uses shows the speaker’s determination to follow her dreams and remain hopeful, even in her current, solitary state.
Historical Context
Barrett Browning wrote ‘A Musical Instrument’ in 1849, just before her secret elopement with Robert Browning. During this time in her life, Barrett Browning is known to have experienced intense bouts of loneliness and sadness, a feeling that is reflected in her poem.
The poem can be seen as a way for Barrett Browning to cope with her emotions, and by expressing her longing for companionship and freedom, it may serve as a way for her to find hope and resilience during her difficult times.
Comparisons
The themes of Barrett Browning’s poem, ‘A Musical Instrument’, can be seen in the works of other writers and poets of the time. Alfred Lord Tennyson’s ‘Ulysses’ focuses on the narrator’s longing for adventure and excitement, just like Barrett Browning’s poem is about her desire for companionship and freedom.
Charlotte Brontë’s ‘The Night is Darkening Round Me’, also draws on similar themes to Barrett Browning’s poem. The narrator reflects on her intense sadness and loneliness, and expresses a strong desire to escape her current isolation.
Legacy
Elizabeth Barrett Browning will always be remembered as one of the most celebrated Romantic poets, renowned for her passionate and emotive works. ‘A Musical Instrument’ is a powerful emotional poem which is often studied by many poets and writers in order to understand the power of poetry and the beauty of Barrett Browning’s craft.
Her words are timeless and her work continues to inspire many writers even to this day. Her legacy of courage and resilience will remain strong, and ‘A Musical Instrument’ will continue to be appreciated for years to come.
Public Response
Barrett Browning’s ‘A Musical Instrument’ has had a long-lasting impact on readers, as her honest and emotive words are sure to strike an emotional chord with many. The combination of simple language and evocative imagery creates an intimate and moving reading experience, and Barrett Browning’s ability to express such strong feelings in such a minimalistic way is both impressive and inspiring.
Many people have been deeply moved by the poem and many have found solace in Barrett Browning’s words. It is a text which is often revisited by readers as a source of inspiration, comfort and courage.
Analysis
Barrett Browning’s ‘A Musical Instrument’ is an incredibly powerful poem which speaks to the complexity of the human experience. Through her deep and honest words, Barrett Browning expresses her longing for companionship and freedom, and her hope for something better in the future.
The language and imagery used in the poem also serve to create a feeling of melancholy, yearning and nostalgia. The use of enjambment and conversational language gives the poem an intimate and personal feel, and the text is one which will resonate with many people.
